Apparatus for reconditioning drill pipe



April 10, 1945. JJ F. cAlLLoux ETA1 v 2,373,153

APPARATUS FOR RECONDITIONING DRILL PIPE Filed June l5. 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY v www April 10, 1945.y J. F. cAlLLoux ErAL 2,373,163

APPARATUS FOR RECONDITIONING DRILL PIPE Filed June 15, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 W o o 8'2- El?. 4 I I I NvEN'ToR ATTORNEY April l0, 1945.

.1. F. cAlLLoux ETAL APPARATUS FOR RECONDITIONING DRILL 'PIPE n Filed June l5, 1942 asheets-sheet s ATTO NEY April 10, 1945. J. r-f. cAlLLoux ETAI.

APPARATUS FOR RECONDITIONING DRILL PIPE Filed June 15, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Il l I IHIIlHl ATTORNEY April 10, 1945. J. F. cAlLLoux ET AL 2,373,153

APPARATUS FOR RECONDITIONING DRILL PIPE Filed June 15, 1942 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY April 1o, 1945.

J. F. cAlLLoUx ET AL A2,373,163 R APPARATUS FOR RECONDITIONING DRILL PIPE Filed June l5, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 lla?.

liz,

INVENTORS,

BY l

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 10, 1945 APPARATUS Fon REcoNDI'rIoNING A DRILLHPE John F. cailloux, Houston, Tex., and Philip M.

Rea, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application June 15, 1942, Serial No. 447,184 01. 113-102) 12 Claims.

The invention relates to Well-drilling apparatus and, more particularly, to drilling collars, couplings, connecting members, or subs as the same are utilized in drill strings, such as are ordinarily employed in the rotary process of drilling Wells. A drill stem or drill string such as ordinarily employed in rotary Well-drilling is made up of a plurality of sections of drill pipe coupled directly together or` coupled together through the medium of drilling collars, subs, connectors, or the like; and, due to the fact that drill string is continuously rotated as well as being frequently moved longitudinally inside of a Well casing, the exterior surfaces are subjected to almost continuous wear, and consequently, are either reduced in diameter around their entire surface, or are Worn flat at various points. This wear, of course, weakens the string and it there. fore limits the life of the various members which constitute the string. l f o Considerable effort has been made inthe past few years to perfect methods of building up or re-surfacing thedrill string members adjacent their coupling pointsso as to avoid junkingthe entire member. Such efforts are evidenced by the following listed United States patents:

" Pate, 2,232,135'(Feb. 18,1941) Huntsinger, 2,247,173v (June 24,1941) Stone, 2,262,211 (Novjl'l, 1941)v Stone, 2,259,232'(Oct. 14, 1941) Stone, 2,262,212 '(Nov. 11, 1941) Stone,2,262,210 (Nov. 11, 1941) Previous tothe advent of the re-surfacing methods disclosed `in the above-listed patents,

some attempts had been made to re-sle'eve drill stem joints by turning them down and then pressing a heated tubular sleeve over the turned down portion, the sleeve shrinking into intimate contact with the stem as it cooled. In carrying out that method, the sleeve was next welded to the stem around each end. The impractical part of that process lay in the fact that the inside of the sleeve had to be turned out perfectly so that it would exactly fit the 'turned down portion of the drill lstein section. This made the process somewhat expensive, although the method was found to reach a result which was entirely practical after it had oncebeen accomplished. y v

These applicants have conceived a re-surfacingmethod wherein the sleeve does not have to be turned out interiorly, but which will also reach the desired result originally obtained by shrinking the sleeve into place upon the drill stem member. In accomplishing the process of the present 55:'

invention, a tubular element is longitudinally split down one side, and after being heated to expand and render the samev bendable, it is rolledon to the previously turned down portion of the drill stem member, and is held in place therearound mechanically while being weld-integrated to the drill stem member. The Weld is made along the longitudinal line of cleavage, as well as around both'ends of the sleeve. This method makes it possible to use scrap pipe for forming the sleeve, as well as permitting use of fiat steel plate, when desired, to originally form the'split sleeve.

In carrying out the present invention, a mechanical device is usedto roll the sleeves Aupon the drill stem sections and tohold themin place under desired pressure until. the welds can be made. This machine, as Well as the methodof applying the sleeves, is the subject matter of the present patent application.

One of the` prime objects of the present invention is to provide va new re-sleeving method for drill stem members which will be economical and practical.

Another object is the provision of a machine capable of vcarrying there-sleeving method' into effect.

A further object is the provision, in such 'a ma-l chine, of, structure capable' of compensating for and handling various sizes of work; l

A still further object is the provision, in such a machine, of structure capable of rolling a preheating sleeve into place around a drill vstem,

member in such a manner that thevsleeve bears against the entire surface ofthe periphery of the member with substantially equal'pressure.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision, in such a machine, of structure capable of holding a pre-heated sleeve around a drill stem member with suihcient expansion when cooled to draw it into intimate and contiguous contact with the member.

.Other objects are to provide a device of this class which is simple to operate' and which per-y mits rapid reception and removal of the Work.

An additional' object is to so design a machine for the purposes setforth'jthat the Weightof the" Work itself acts as a medium for aligning the ma! chine therewith, soA that the stem vme'mb1er,"th`e sleeve and the machine are all automaticallyA aligned by the weight of the work.

A still further Objectis the provision of appara tus capable of utilizing either flat plate stock or longitudinally split tubular stock in forming sleeves for 1re-surfacing drill stem members.

Other objects of the vinvention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying six-sheet drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the device showing its jaws open and depicting a drill stem member in position to be re-sleeved, and the sleeve in a position to be forced into intimate contact with the member;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevation, partially in section, detailing the lower portion of the device;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the upper portion of the device with the jaws closed and clamping a sleeve about a drill stem member in postion to be welded, the plumbing arrangement for the power operation being shown in detail;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. l showing the jaws closed about the work;

Figure 5 is an elevational side view looking from the right hand sideof Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view detailing the cams upon which the work rests when the machine is in operation;

Figure 'I is a fragmentary end elevational view detailing the cams andmounting;

Figure 8 is a top View detailing one of the two sets of rollers used to roll the sleeve into place about a stem member;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary end View of the upper end of one of the jaws showing the rollers of Fig, 8 in place;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the base frame or cradle support;

Figure 1l is a perspective View of the cradle;

Figure 12 is a, perspective View detailing la. block used in connection vwith the cradle of Fig. 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevational View, showing apparatus in addition to that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 12, the additional apparatus rendering the device capable of utilizing flat plates in lieu of the split sleeves of the first shown device;

Figure 14 is a similar view showing one step in the operation of the device; and,

Figure 15 is a similar view of another step in the operation of the device.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in all of the figures.

In the drawings:

The reference numeral 2.0 indicates as a. whole a rigid supporting frame, preferably of tubular welded construction, and preferably consisting substantially of two parallel end members 2| and 22 rigidly connected adjacent their opposite ends by parallel side members 23 and 24. The member 2| supports two upwardly extending and converging legs 25 and26 which are capped by a suitable bearing block 21. The base member 22 has upwardly extending and converging legs 28 and 29 capped by a similar 4bearing block 38. Bearing caps 3 Aand 32 are provided for a, purpose. more fully described hereinbelow; The upstanding legs 25-and.28 'are rigidly connected by a horizontal brace member 33 and the legs 26 and 29 are similarly connected by a horizontal brace' member 34.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 11. the reference numeral 35 indicates as a whole a cradle consisting of a substantially square metal base or bottom 36 having adjacent eaclicorner upwardly and outwardly extending standards 31,

38, 39 and 48. AThe standards 31 and 40 are connected rigidly at their `upper ends by a horizontal strap or plate 4|, and the standards 38 and 39 are similarly connected at their upper ends by a similar plate 42. The plates 4| and 42 lie parallel with each other and normally reside in a similar horizontal plane. The bottom plate 36 also supports a pair of parallel upstanding standards 43 and A44 which are welded at their upper ends to the bottom surfaces, respectively, of 'the strap members 42 and 4|. A threaded take-up rod 45 has its lower end extending through a raised portion 460i the bottom plate 36 and is adjustably held in connection therewith by a pair of spaced nuts 41 and 48. The take-up rod 45 is provided for a purpose which will be more fully described hereinbelow.

Across the upper surfaces of the strap members 4| and 42, there is rigidly welded a cam supporting plate (Figs. 6, '1 and 11). The plate 50 has two aligned series of upstanding ears 5l, and each series of ears are alignedly perforated to receive pivot pins 52. Pivotally mounted between the adjacent ears 5| of each series upon the pivot pins 52 are a plurality of cams or rockers 53. The outer free ends of each of the cams `52 are each provided with a roller 54 and the two sets f rollers are mounted in series upon two pivot pins 55 Welded rigidly to the standards 31 and 38 and located between the two is a heavy metal frame consisting of side plates 56 and a connecting end plate or brace 51 extending between the side plates. An outstanding horizontal trunnion58 is rigidly mounted upon the brace plate 51. lA similar frame is rigidly connected between the standards 39 and 4E) and consists of side plates 59 and 68 connected thereto. The trunnions 58 and 62 are in axial alignment with each other and are adapted to be journaled inthe bearing blocks 21 and 30 of the cradle supporting structure 20. The bearing caps 3| and 32 act in a usual many ner to hold the trunnions in place upon the bearing blocks 21 and 30, and usual stud bolts 63 act to hold the caps in place.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that when the cradle 35 is mounted in the cradle supporting structure 2D, it may rock on the trunnions 58 and 62 within the spacelying between the horizontal braces 33 and 34. This rocking movement of the cradle 35 is for a purpose more fully described hereinbelow. Slidably mountedupon the take-up rod 45 is a heavy metal block 64, and a compressionspring 65 is provided varound the take-upv rod 45- and is normally held under compression by a nut 66 threaded upon the upper end of the take-uprod 45. The block 64 has two spaced parallel pivot' pins 61 upon which are pivotally mounted the" lower ends of two heavy metal jaws 68 and 69;'A The jaws 68 and 69 extend upwardly within the space lying between the standards 31 and 38, and the standards 39 and 40, respectively, and the upper ends are curved toward each otherl at la point above thelcams 53. Each of the jaw mernf bers 68 and 69 are composed of heavy metalA plate construction and each has parallel 'side'V members 10 and 1|. The upper end'of the jaws 68 and 69 are each provided with a pairof metal; rollers 12, (best seen in Fig. 8) which are 'mountedI for rotation upon the jaws by the provision of a4 suitable support 13 having parallel arms 14" welded rigidly to the upper end of each of the( jaw members. The jaw members are s o mounted cn their pivot pins 61 that their upper ends may,- swing toward and away from each other, .and when the jaws are swung together, the rollers 12.l

of each jaw memberwill meet or contact the rollers 'I2 of the other jaw member.

1 As a means for power actuatingthe upper ends of the jaws 68 and 69 to move from open to closed position, the following structure is provided: -Firmly bolted to the nether surface of the cam supporting plate 50 (Fig. 11) is ablock 80 (Fig, l2) which lies vbetween the horizontal-strap members Illv and 42 of the cradle 35. The block 80 at each end is provided with alignedly perforated ears adapted to receive pivot pins 8l. A rocker arm 82 is pivotally mounted upon each of the pivot pins il! and extends outwardly beyond the outer edges of the respective jaws 68 and 59 between the side lmembersvl and 1I forming the Same. Eachrocker arm 82 has a laterally extending rigid pin Bil-which extends horizontally past the two side members 'I0 and il of' the respective jaws and the ends of each pin 83 fit into a notch 85 in side members l0 or TI. The rocker arms 82 are each provided on their outer ends with a suitable piston 84 working in a usual manner within a piston housing 05. The piston 'housing is provided with a suitable stuling box B6 to surround the rod of the rocker arm and the stuffing box, for each rocker armris located just beyond the outwardly extending lateral pins Illr which are adapted to fit within the notches 84 in the outer surfaces of the jaw members 55 and 69.

The arrangement is such that when a motive lluid is introduced `into the housing 85 to force the piston 84 toward the outer end of the housing, the jaws 68 or 69 are forced toward each other through action of the horizontal pins 83. A suitable valve-controlled p-lumbing connection i'sprovided for controlling the ingress and outlet of motive fluid to the piston chambers 35. This plumbing arrangement is best seen in Fig. 3 and consists of` a motive iluid supply/line Sil, a handopenalted, two-way control valve 8l and two supply lines 92 and 93 leading tothe opposite piston housings or chambers 85.

j In utilizing the above-described machine, an arcuate sleeve |00 is placed around a drill stem section IUI, or any member which it is desired tore-sleeve, and the two are then placed upon the cams 53. This is done when the jawsare. in the open position as shown in Fig. l. Since in most instances the drill stem section lill is of considerable length, it is customary to support the other end 0f the same by a chain hoist or the like; and since it is sometimes difficult to exactly align the other end of the drill stem section IIlI with the cams 53, the cradle 35 will automatically swing upon the trunnions 58 and 62, and the cams and jaws will thus consequently automatically align themselves with the drill stem member as soon as one end of the same is placed in the machine. This eliminates the necessity of exactly adjusting the position of the free or outer supported end of the drill stem member to align it with the camswhich are supporting the'end in' the machine. Before being placed `in the machine, the sleeve I00 is heated to render Iiteasily bendable, usually to a cherry red, 'andafte er the two members of the work have been placed in the position illustrated in Fig. l, motive power is applied to the piston chambers 85 through operation of the valve 9i. This motive fluid forces the upper ends of the jaws to swing toward each other, and acts to roll the sleeve lili! tightly about. the drill stemr member IDI. When this has been'done, the work assumes the position substantially shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and

4member I0 I.

" it is rolled into place about the stem I 0I The arrangement of the cam members 53' and rollers 54 also make it possible for the ma` chine to operate upon drill 'stem members I 0I and the motive power is fheld in the' piston chambers until a weld can be accomplished along the adjacent edges I05 of the sleeve |00. lWith the work still held in place as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a

Y weld may also be accomplished around each end of the sleeve Illll. This is possible because of the fact that the sleeve |00 is longer than the width of the jaws 68 and 69. In order for the jawsto reach the position as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the block 64 must move upwardly along the take-up rod 45 against the action of the compression spring 65. This compression spring acts against the upward movement of the jaws and consequently, exerts a pressure downwardly on the Y rollers 12. This downward pressure obtains'an intimate rolling of the sleeve |00 about the stem member IOI alongthe entire 360 degrees of the periphery thereof.

It is pointed out that when the work is in the position shown inv Fig. 1, the rollers 'I2 move'to-` ward each other in a horizontal plane, substan# tially even with the axis of the stem member IIII, and then, as the power is increased, they rollers roll upwardly andinwardly over the sleeve |00 to roll the sleeve in place about the stem' Since the cam members 53 lare pivotally mounted, they rock slightly upon their pivot pins and maintain an equalization of pres` sure on the lower portion of the sleeve member' |00. The coaction of the inner, adjacent edges of the cam members, the rollers 53 of the cam members, and of the rollers `l2 of the jaws, is such that a substantially equal pressure is maintained entirely around the sleeve member Illl'l as member sleeve members I DI] having larger or smaller diameters.

Extending horizontally between the two jaw members 63 and 69, is a rod III) which carries two compression springs ill. adapted to exert a force outwardly against the jaws 65 and 69' so that the jaws may be urged into an open` position when the motivating fluid is released from the piston chambers 85.

A foot-operated lever H5 is pivotally mounted upwardly against the action of the spring 65. A retrieving spring II'I acts to draw the outer end of the foot lever I I5 upwardly.

Ithas been stated hereinabove that the present' method and apparatus is capable of utilizing either flat plate stock or longitudinally split tubular stock for Vrfa-surfacing drill stem mem bers. The apparatus and method for utilizing only the longitudinally split tubular stock has thus'far been described hereinabove; and the apparatus for applying the method to the use of flat' 'plate stock will next be described'. This appa ratus is illustrated in Figs. 18, 14. and l5 of the drawings, and consists of mechanical structure which may be added to the apparatus of Figs.

1 to 12 inclusive when it is desired to use flatl f plate stock.

The horizontal brace 33 of the cradle supportf ing structure 2li is provided on its lower surface" with a bearing or journal |20. (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13) which rockably supports a horizontally disposed trunnion I2I l also shown in Horizontal pins; II2 act as the means for connecting the rod I I0? t0 the jaws 68 and 69 in an obvious manner.`

dotted lines in Fig. 13'). The outer end of the trimmen |2| is rigidly connected, by' welding or the like to a cylindrical piston housing or chain- -ber |22 within which is operatively installed a. piston head |23 and piston rod |24.

A fluid supply line |25 is connected through a suitable two-way valve |26 to two conduits |21 and |28. The conduit |21 leads to the upper end of the piston chamber |22 while the conduit |28- leads to the lower end thereof. By manipulation of a valve handle |23; power fluid may be selectively introduced into the piston chamber either above or below the. piston head |23.

The piston rod |24 passes upwardly from the piston chamber through a suitable stuffing box |30, and its upper end is pivotally connected by a pivot pin |3| to the shank end I32'of a heavy metal hook |33. When the piston |23 is at the upper end of the chamber |22, the jaw portion of the hook |33 extends upwardly well past the upper ends of the jaws 68 and 69 if the jaws are in their lowered positions. The relative vertical positions of the hooks |33 andthe jaws 68 and 63 are shown in Fig. 13 with the jaws at their lowered positions.

In utilizing this portion of lthe apparatus, a pre-heated piece (IDU- UD of flat metal stock is rst laid upon the upper surfaces of the jaws 68 and 69 and rests upon the rollers 12. The end of the drill stem section lill is next placed upon the piece (H-a) and the hook |33 is swung over the section. The' valve handle |29 is manually moved to a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 14 to introduce the actuating uid into the chamber |22 above the piston head |23. En-

. try of the uid into the piston chamber forces the piston-head downwardly to the lower end of its throw, and the hook |33 is also drawn downwardly. The piece (H10-a) is thus bent downwardly in the middle to contact the cams 53 and assumes substantially the position shown in Fig. 14. The valve 9| (Fig. 3) is next operated to actuate the jaws 68 and 69 as formerly described hereinabove, and are thus brought into the positions shown in Fig. 15.

In reaching these positionsjthe jaws roll the in the same manner as hereinabove described with relation to the split sleeve 0U.

In cases where re-sleeving is being done upon long sections of drill stem, only one piston actuated hook structure is needed. However, if short drill stem sections are to be re-sleeved, the horizontal brace 34 of the cradle 2!! may also be provided with a piston and hook structure. In such a case, the two pistons can be arranged to act simultaneously to pull downwardly upon bot-h ends of the section ll Itis pointed out that the rocking cams 53 make the device adaptable, without adjustment, to take work of various diameters.

We claim:

1. apparatus for installing a unisectional longitudinally split metal sleeve around a cylindrical object, the combination of: a support having aligned spaced horizontal bearings: a cradle rocha-bly supported in said bearings; a pair of jaws having their lower ends pivotally mounted inthe cradle in a manner permitting their upper ends to move toward and away from each other; a table carried by the cradle between the upper ends of the jaws; and power operated means for urging the upper ends of the jaws toward eachother.

2. In apparatus for installing a uni-sectional longitudinally split metal sleeve around a cylindrical object, the combination of I a support having aligned spaced horizontal bearings; a cradle rockably supported in said bearings; a pair of jaws having their lower ends pivotally mounted in the'cradle in a manner permitting their upper ends to move toward and away from each other; a roller carried by the upper end of each jaw in common positions; a table carried by the cradle between the upper ends of the jaws; and power operated means for urging the upper ends of the jaws toward each other.

3. In apparatus for installing a uni-sectional longitudinally split metal sleeve around a cylindrical object, the combination of: a support; a cradle pivotally mounted on the support to rock upon a-horizontal axis; a pair of jaws; means for pivotally connecting the lower ends of said jaws together in a manner permitting their upper ends to move toward and away from each other; means for mounting the jaws to the cradle in a manner permitting their simultaneous vertical movement with relation thereto; a table carried by the cradlebetween the upper ends of the jaws;

and power-operated means for urging the upper ends of the jaws toward each other.

4. In apparatus for ,installing a uni-sectional longitudinally split metal sleeve around a cylindrical object, the combination of: a support; a cradle pivotally mounted on the support to rock upon a horizontal axis; a pair of jaws; means for pivotally connecting the lower ends of said jaws together in a manner permitting their upper ends to move toward and away from each other; means for mounting the jaws to the cradle in a manner permitting their simultaneous vertical movement with relation thereto; a roller carried by the upper end of each'jaw in corresponding positions; a table carried by the cradle between the upper ends of the jaws; and power-operated means for urging the upper ends of the jaws toward each other.

5. Organization as described in claim 3 and resilient means for normally holding the jaws-at the lower end of their throw. 6. Organization4 as described in claim 3 and manually-operated means for urging the jaws upwardly with relation to the cradle.

7. In apparatus for installing a uni-sect'ional-A longitudinally split metalI sleeve around a cylindrical object, the combination of: a support; a.l cradle pivotally mounted on the support to rock.. upon a horizontal axis; a pair of jaws having their, lower ends pivotally mountedin the cradle ina manner permitting their upper ends to move t0- ward and away from each other; a table carried by the cradle between the upper ends of the jaws; a plurality of parallel horizontally disposed elements rockably carried by the upper surface of the table for supporting work; and power-operated means for urging the upper ends of the jawsr toward each other to engage the work. f

8. In apparatus for installing a uni-sectional longitudinally split metal sleeve around a cylin-V drical object, the combination of: .a support; ai cradle pivotally mounted on the support to rockupon a horizontal axis; a pair of jaws having l,

their lower ends pivotally mounted in the cradle in a manner permitting their upper ends t0 move toward and away from each other; a, plurality of parallel horizontally disposed work-supportingv elements rockably carried by the cradle between" the upper ends of the jaws; ndpower-operated means for urging the upper ends of the jaws to-i;

ward each other to engage work while being supported by the elements.

9. Organization as described in claim '7 in which the Work-'supporting elements comprise: apair of identical members each being arcuate in cross-section, and each member having a pivotal axis located on its convex surface between its edges whereby the two members may rock simultaneously in order to adapt themselves to equally support cylindrically shaped work of various external diameters,

10. Organization as described in claim 8 in which the work-supporting elements comprise: a pair of identical members each being arcuate in cross-section, and eachmember having a pivotal axis located on its convex surface between its edges whereby the two members may rock simultaneously in order to adapt themselves to equally support cylindrically shaped work of various external diameters;

11. Organization as described in claim 7 in which the work-supporting elements comprise: a

pair of identical members each being arcuate in cross-section, and each member having a pivotal axis located on its convex surface between its edges whereby the two members may rock simultaneously in order to adapt themselves to equally support cylindrically shaped work of various external diameters; and rollers carried by similar edges ofthe members to permit rotation of thev work thereon.

12. Organization as described in claim 8 in permit rotation 

